Former senator and activist-turned-politician, Shehu Sani, has stated that reforming Nigeria’s judiciary alone will not be enough to turn the country into an ideal state.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Sani emphasized the need for broader reforms across all sectors, with citizens playing a central role in the change process.
“We can’t have a perfect judiciary when we have an imperfect country. Those in the judiciary are part of our society—they are our brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts,” he said.
Sani highlighted the need for a political shift where voters prioritize merit over party affiliations, arguing that the dominance of political godfathers and mafias prevents good candidates from emerging.
“The main political parties are controlled by powerful figures, making it difficult for credible individuals to secure party tickets. When good candidates contest under smaller parties, people tell them to join major parties, knowing full well these parties are controlled by vested interests,” he lamented.
He blamed voters for supporting candidates backed by political godfathers due to financial incentives, which he said results in poor leadership.
On the issue of frequent defections among lawmakers, Sani attributed it to internal crises within political parties, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“For instance, if you are in PDP now, you must choose a faction. If you’re a lawmaker, your return ticket depends on the faction you align with. If the political vehicle that brought you to the National Assembly has broken down, what will you do?” he asked.
He warned that unless PDP resolves its internal issues before the 2027 elections, it risks having only a handful of representatives in the National Assembly. He also noted that while the Labour Party faces its own leadership crisis, the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the most cohesive party.
Sani, who was a PDP member before the 2023 elections but recently joined the ruling APC, also criticized the lack of ideological commitment among Nigerian politicians.
“98% of politicians don’t know their party’s ideology, except those in the Peoples Redemption Party, National Conscience Party, and Socialist Party of Nigeria. Even in my return to APC, I can’t say its philosophy differs from PDP’s,” he admitted.
However, he noted that he shares a common history with President Bola Tinubu in the struggle for democracy.
